Wordsmiths create an age-friendly world one story at a time
This year, the competition was extended to include entry categories for school children and youth, with a view to bridge inter-generational gaps.
BUDDING wordsmiths with a passion of reawakening the love of story-telling and reading in the elderly were honoured at the Tafta Tell My Story schools’ competition on Wednesday, 6 November at The Association for the Aged’s (Tafta) Anna Conradie Wellness Centre at Tafta Lodge, South Beach.
“The competition is annually hosted by Tafta and is open to all its elders and community club members. This year, the competition was extended to include entry categories for school children and youth, with a view to bridge inter-generational gaps and promoting conversations between the young and old,” said Tafta CEO Femada Shamam.
The theme of the competition was “Creating an Age Friendly World” and according to Tafta CEO Femada Shamam, it was a theme that resonated strongly with the elderly association. “As an elder care and rights organisation, we live our purpose of making dignity, growth and a meaningful life a realistic prospect for all elders. The entries this year illustrate the long road we must still travel to make this world one that respects and upholds and rights and dignity of our elders in high esteem. We hope that by bringing the attention of the public to matters concerning the elderly through initiatives like this one, they will continue to support us in bridging inter-generational gaps and raising generations that will be far more conscious and considerate of the rights of our elders,” Shamam stated.
Esther Davids, a former educator and an elder at Tafta John Dunn House in Wentworth, said: “An age friendly world can be created by including, engaging and understanding the different needs, cultures, traditions and languages. I have found social media a great tool for keeping in touch and enjoying a laugh occasionally with useful information.”
Grade 5 entrant Noluthando Mthiyane of Austerville Primary spoke of her reverence for her grandmother in her entry: “Most of the time, my grandmother, takes care of me because my mother has to work. So my granny washes clothes for me and helps me with something when I need it. My granny does everything for me, she spoils me and I love my granny very much”.
Winning entries won electronic gadgets sponsored by Tafta’s IT supplier MicroDivision, and awards categories this year were; Grade R/ Grade 1-3: “Draw an Age friendly City”, Grade 4-7/Grade 8-12/ Youth/ and Elders: “Describe an age friendly world where elders’ needs are met and they feel respected”.
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